Jordan Times
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
CDFJ conference on media and
good governance begins
AMMAN (Petra) — The Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) 6th
international conference on media and good governance opened yesterday with the
participation of over 250 representatives from Arab and international
organisations.
Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of
State for Prime Ministry Affairs and Government Performance Marwan Muasher
inaugurated the three-day event.
In his opening address, Muasher said further efforts to enhance press freedoms
in the Kingdom are still required in spite of the establishment of the Jordan
Media Centre, and the efforts of the Higher Media Council to amend the Press and
Publications Law, promote journalists' right of access to information and ban
the arrest of journalists.
He added that the Kingdom lacks legislation that ensures citizens and the civil
society's right to information, pointing out that the government is currently
working to issue a draft law that guarantees such right.
Good governance, Muasher said, cannot to be applied by force, it is achieved
when a country's government, citizens and institutions adopt a certain way of
administration on the state level. Good governance is not a goal in itself but
rather a means by which sustainable development is achieved, he added.
Addressing the delegates, CDFJ President Nidal Mansour said a survey conducted
by the centre last year indicated that 71 per cent of Jordanians were not
satisfied with the situation of media in the country, while 58 per cent
considered existing legislation as restraining their freedoms.
The survey also revealed that 65 per cent believe that the government interferes
with press.
Mansour highlighted freedom, independence and professionalism as elements
essential for media's success and excellence.
During the opening, Muasher presented several international media organisations
with commemorative shields in recognition of their efforts to defend press
freedoms and human rights. Among the recipients were Reporters without Borders,
Article 19, UNESCO and Inter News.
Representatives from these organisations presented an outline of their
activities in defending press freedom across the world.
Established in early 1999, the CDFJ is a nonprofit civil organisation that
advocates freedom of journalism and information distribution.